§ Lord Hoyleasked Her Majesty's Government:
What representations they have made to the European Union Commissioner for Transport, Loyola de Palacio, about her remarks in relation to MV "Prestige" and Gibraltar. [HL922]
§ The Minister for Trade (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean)As my noble friend Lady Amos told the House on 10 December (Official Report, col. 214), neither the UK nor Gibraltar bore any responsibility for the "Prestige". The UK's Permanent Representative to the EU wrote to the Commission in this sense on 19 November. A copy of that letter has been placed in the Libraries of the House. My honourable friend the Minister for Europe (Mr MacShane) also wrote to Commissioner de Palacio on 16 November.